Mock Draft Expert Analysis

Strengths Weaknesses

STRENGTHS: Comes from a pro-style offense at Louisville, and was among the nation's leaders in all passing categories when facing blitzes. Naturally steps through his progressions, and keeps his eyes focused downfield with defenders closing in on him. Can manipulate the defense with his eyes.

Shows very good weight distribution and passing mechanics. Steps into the face of pressure and delivers, showing admirable toughness on each snap to bounce back after big hits.

Smooth mobility to extend and move the pocket with the quickness to pick up yards with his legs if needed. Impressive accuracy and touch on throws to all levels of the field, and displays good accuracy while on the move.

Quick and efficient movements in his technique and does an excellent job with fakes, selling and focusing on the details. He is poised and with very good footwork in the pocket. Can keep defenses guessing with a sprinkling of read-option looks.

Mature and grounded individual who obviously loves football. Sharp-witted and retains information extremely well. Makes it look easy on the field and appears to "get it," elevating the play of those around him.

WEAKNESSES: Although quick, Bridgewater has a lower than ideal release point with the ball shooting passed his ear. Some durability concerns after all the hits he has taken over his career, specifically to his wrist and ankle, and lacks physical frame. He's mobile enough to extend plays, but isn't a true dual-threat quarterback.

Room to improve his touch and ball placement on downfield throws. Strong performances in big games including against Florida in the Sugar Bowl following the 2012 season, but played mediocre talent on a weekly basis in the American Athletic Conference.

Struggled with his accuracy during his pro day.

COMPARES TO: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks - NFL analysts often say that if Russell Wilson was 3-4 inches taller, he would have been a first round pick. Well, that might hold true with Bridgewater, who is a similar prospect as Wilson (smart, athletic, mature, accurate) except he is taller with more prototypical height for the NFL.

--Dane Brugler/Rob Rang

Player Overview

Bridgewater arrived at Louisville as the No. 2-rated quarterback prospect in the nation by Rivals.com after an accomplished high school career in Miami that included setting the Dade County record with seven touchdown passes in a single game. He was second team All-State 6-A and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Bridgewater, who succeeded former Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris at Northwestern High School, also originally committed to Miami before ultimately landed at Louisville.

Bridgewater wasted no time in making a major impact at Louisville. He was the first true freshman to play quarterback for the Cardinals since Brian Brohm in 2004, and the first true freshman quarterback to start since Stu Stram in 1976.

He set the school freshman passing record with 2,129 yards to go along with 14 touchdowns in being named the Big East Rookie of the Year in 2011. Bridgewater completed 64.5 percent of his passes, although he did throw 12 interceptions.

Bridgewater continued his ascent as a sophomore, being named Big East Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 3,718 yards with 27 touchdowns. He had six 300-yard passing games and two of 400-plus. Bridgewater was named the MVP of the Sugar Bowl after passing for 266 yards and two touchdowns in a win over third-ranked Florida.

With Louisville suffering its only loss of the 2012 season to Central Florida, Bridgewater was relegated to second-team all-conference honors. He finished the regular season with 2,309 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, and then tacked on another 447 yards and three touchdowns in Louisville's 36-9 romp over Miami in the Citrus Bowl.

While Bridgewater's arm is impressive, the poise, vision and touch he demonstrates could serve as a "how-to" video on effective quarterback play.

Critics will continue to point out Bridgewater's flaws. He is not as big or strong as Andrew Luck nor as nimble as a healthy Robert Griffin III. Among the quarterbacks potentially available in the 2014 draft, he's the most polished and accurate.

05/14/2014 - Catch-22: Did Teddy Bridgewater boycott Browns? Did a year of dysfunction cost the Cleveland Browns their preferred quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft? Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the 32nd overall pick last Thursday, was on the board when the Browns traded the 26th overall pick and a third-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 22nd pick, with the intent of drafting a quarterback to compete with current starter Brian Hoyer. According to reports -- vehemently denied Monday by coach Mike Pettine -- the Browns were primed to select Bridgewater but at the last minute switched their choice to Texas A&M sophomore Johnny Manziel.

Bridgewater said Tuesday on the "Dan Patrick Show" that he informed agent Kennard McGuire that he did not want to play in Cleveland. "I actually told my agent that's not the place where I wanted to be," Bridgewater told Patrick Tuesday in the midst of several rounds of media interviews.

The Vikings expect Bridgewater to compete to start as a rookie. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner was one of few NFL personnel to emerge from Bridgewater's pro day workout in March with a review that labeled the throwing session anything but abysmal. Coach Mike Zimmer said Sunday the Vikings will start the best quarterback, and he "hopes it is" Bridgewater. Matt Cassell re-signed with the team -- for two years, $10 million -- after ending the 2013 season as the Vikings' starter ahead of Christian Ponder. - Jeff Reynolds, NFLDraftScout.com